The greatest disease (or absence of ease) is the absence of
Shaanthi; when the mind gets peace, the body also will have
health. So, every one who craves for good health must pay
attention to the emotions, feelings and motives that animate the
individual. Just as you give clothes for a wash, you have to wash
the mind free from dirt again and again; otherwise, if dirt
accumulates and you form a 'habit', it is difficult for the Dhobi
as well as harmful to the clothes. It should be a daily process;
you should see that no dirt settles upon the mind; that is to say,
you should move about in such company that dirt is avoided.
Falsehood, injustice, indiscipline, cruelty, hate - these form the
dirt; Sathya, Dharma, Shaanthi, Prema (truth, righteousness,
peace, love) - these form the clean elements. If you inhale the
pure air of these latter, your mind will be free from evil bacilli
and you will be mentally sturdy and physically strong. As
Vivekaanandha used to say, you should have nerves of steel and
muscles or iron. That is to say, you should have hope and joy and
elation as an unshakeable resolution, not despair and dejection.

What is studied is not put into Practice

Your heart should be like glass, with the spiritual light
inside illuminating the world outside; the world outside reacting
on the inner urges and making them lean towards service, sympathy
and mutual help. Now, people read and study all kinds of
unintelligible Vedhaanthic texts and struggle with commentaries
and notes and translations to grasp their sense. It is being
poured down their throats; but the portion does not get down to
soften the heart. It is not translated into practice. The truths
of the Vedhaantha are put on for public exhibition, as in a drama,
where appropriate dresses are worn on the stage but taken off when
the actor moves off the stage. They do not adhere to them all the
time to derive the Aathmaanandha (bliss of the soul) which they
can give.

It is chiefly a matter of careful well-timed regulated
discipline; it cannot be got by spurts and skips; it has to be
climbed step by step, each step being used as a foothold for the
next. There is no systematic living according to any known
principle, now; this is true of the student, the householder, the
mistress or the master of the house. The virtues have to be
cultivated in the home; each member sharing in the joy with the
rest, each one seeking for opportunities for helping others. This
attitude has to be stuck to, so that it may stay as character. How
can a vessel kept with the mouth downwards get filled with water?
It has to open up and receive the good impulses. You have to learn
each lesson by systematic study; application and effort alone will
give success.

Have Faith in the Lord and His Grace

In all effort, if you trust in a higher power which is ready to
come to your help, work is made easy. This comes out of Bhakthi,
reliance on the Lord, the source of all power. When you travel by
train, you have only to purchase the ticket, enter the proper
train and take a seat, leaving the rest to the engine. Why should
you carry the bed and trunk on your head? So too, put your trust
in the Lord and carry on to the best of our ability. Have faith in
the Lord and his Grace. Try to earn it by using the intelligence
and the conscience with which He has endowed you.

You have all gathered here to celebrate the completion of four
years in the life of this Sathya Sai hospital. So I want to tell
you that the best and the wisest thing is to see that you do not
fall ill. The doctor read out in the report that this year the
number of our patients as well as the number of operations was
greater than last year, as if that is a sign of progress! But I do
not think that speaks well of the people around and their sense of
values. The hospital should radiate preventive measures also and
try to educate the villagers in methods of avoiding illness.
Develop self-reliance; that is the best tonic. You have been born
because you did not pass in certain subjects; there is some
balance of experience which you must acquire to complete the
course. If you get convinced that your true nature is the Aathma,
then you have finished the course and 'passed'.

Cultivate Prema towards all Beings

For reaching that stage, you should start with the cultivation
of the "feeling of kinship with all beings", - Sarvasamaanabhaava
- as it is called. It is very difficult to get it; but that is the
only way to see the Aathma that is in all. For example, a person
with that Bhaava (sincerity of feeling) will not be happy at the
killing of animals for food or even hunting them. Why should you
go seeking the animal to its den, lie in wait for it and lay traps
for it, so that you may derive pleasure by killing it? Prema
should be cultivated towards all beings, in order that you may see
the Sarvabhootha antharaathma (innermost self in all beings). The
Aathma is omnipresent; do not think it is found only in persons
belonging to certain castes or colours or creeds; or that it is of
a big size in fat people or of a brilliant nature in rich people.
It is consistently Sath, Chith, Aanandha (being, awareness, bliss
absolute) in every being. Saadhana has to go a long way to win
this outlook.

But you can begin with little things; you can avoid causing
annoyance to others, is it not? Even if you are unable or
unwilling to do service to others, at least, if you desist from
causing harm, that is meritorious service indeed! For example,
take your Vaak - the words you speak. I always say Vaak Shuddhi
(purification of words) leads to Mano Shuddhi (cleansing of the
mind). That is why I insist on quiet talk, sweet talk and little
talk; the Saathwik talk; no anger, no heat, no hate. Such talk
will cause no quarrel, no blood-pressure and no factions. It will
promote mutual respect and love. Then again, do not cynically
laugh at the good that others do or at the Saadhana of others.
Inquire; but do not insult. Respect the sincerity of the other
man; respect also elders and men with more experience than you. In
company, behave in a well-mannered way, showering brotherhood and
joy on all around you.

Moderation in Food is always to be welcomed

Strive for the happiness of the community and of the human
race. Pray that all men everywhere may have peace and plenty. Be
eager to do good and be good. Being a function connected with the
hospital, I must tell you about certain other things also. By
regulating your diet and avoiding certain bad habits, you can
preserve health. Moderate food, and food of the Saathwik type,
will promote mental poise and also physical happiness.
Mitha-ahaara (moderation in food) is always to be welcomed. Many
people consume more than the necessary quantity of rich food and
such have to practise moderation. So too, if you do not smoke, you
escape a number of illnesses that follow that Raajasik
(passionate) practice. Any intoxicant or stimulant, because it
disturbs nature's even trend, is harmful. Moderation in food,
moderation in talk, and in desires and pursuits; contentment with
what little can be got by honest labour, eagerness to serve others
and to impart joy to all - these are the most powerful of all the
tonics and health-preserves known to the science of health, the
Sanaathana 'Aayur-Vedha', the Vedha of the full life.